Prior Experience
In 1973, John began practicing law at a DLA Piper legacy firm, founding the federal affairs practice with Berl Bernhard and Harry McPherson. For 30 years he helped to build the group and attract top lawyers and government professionals into the firm, eventually developing what Fortune magazine, The National Journal and other leading publications described as the leading federal affairs firm in the nation's capital. Among the government figures who eventually joined the firm were former Majority Leaders George Mitchell and Bob Dole, former Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen, former Senator Dan Coats, and former Governors Ann Richards, Jim Blanchard and John Waihee. A cover article in The National Journal labeled the Verner Liipfert federal affairs group "the dream team." As practice group chair, John played a pivotal role in building and managing the firm's practice.
Recognitions
The respected publication Chambers USA has repeatedly identified John as one of the nation's leading practitioners in the field of government relations. It has called him a "deeply respected" practitioner, "an extremely smart, strong and likeable attorney," and an "eminent name" in the government relations sphere. Clients have described him as "a fine man and a fine lobbyist," "a veteran government relations practitioner lauded by peers for his rich experience," and have praised his "wonderfully collaborative approach and his focus on his clients' objectives." Clients reported that he "has excellent judgment and strong intuition in political matters," and the directory emphasized that John is a "well-connected strategist" with "very senior-level contacts—the direct legislators themselves."
In addition, John is consistently listed by Legal Times among Washington's Super Lawyers, Washington, DC's Best Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America.
Other Accomplishments
John participates actively in a variety of capacities within the National Democratic Party. From 1996 until 2000, he served as chairman of the Democratic Business Council, the leading forum for business interests within the Democratic National Party. From 2002 through 2004 he served as Middle Atlantic Finance chairman in the Kerry for President Campaign.